Just how much of a show was Gates' meeting with the soldiers?

I don't know the mechanism for reporting Gates' meeting with soldiers today which just happened to support the administration's "surge" position, but I'm highly skeptical.

First, all the articles use the exact same quotations (AP, Reuters, NYTimes) which suggests they all source the same primary article or press release. (Later: Here it is from the DoD.)

Second, the only photos are being released by the DoD which suggests there weren't news photographers or reporters there.

Third, if you look at the photos, the are no reporters in sight.

Fourth, we don't know the process by which these "average" GIs were selected to sit down with the Defense Secretary.

So, what we've got is the Secretary of Defense, meeting with handpicked soldiers, with the only first hand account of what was said coming from the military news service which is employed by the Secretary of Defense.

(NYTimes) Gates, in Iraq, Hears Support for More Troops
(AP) Troops to Gates: Extra forces would help
(Reuters) U.S. soldiers in Iraq urge Gates to send more troops

I have no doubt that there are a ton of soldiers who believe this, but my point is that the press should not reprint this raw propaganda without noting its provenance.

(Second point, if Gates is willing to conduct this pro-"surge" photo op, his contention that he is beyond politics is utter bullcrap.)